Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading Tuesday December 27, 2022

Theme: Wilful Idleness And Willing Workers

Comment:   In time of old, the natural Israelites had an orchestra made up of the Levites with the full complement of musical instruments, for the purpose of singing praises to God. There was a time 4000 of the Levites praised the Lord with instruments of music. (1 Chronicles 23:5) It is also stated that the sons of Asaph sang according to the order of King David. Those of Jeduthun “prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD”. The 14 sons and three daughters of Heman, the King’s seer, were “to lift up the horn”. ((1 Chronicles 25:2, 3,5) The Bible says that to praise God “with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, …was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets”. (2 Chronicles 29:25) At the time of dedication of King Solomon’s temple these Levites made up of singers, with cymbals, psalteries and harps, along with 120 priests sounding with trumpets, all arrayed in white linen, “made one sound”, that is, they sang in unison, that a cloud filled the house of God. – 2 Chronicles 5:13.

 

When people sing in praise of God with honesty and understanding and faith, He does wonders for them.  (Acts 16: 25-40) Songs exalt the name of God Almighty; they convey prayers, thanksgiving, exhortations, etc., outline the purposes of God for mankind, lift the spirit of the worshipper.  – Psalm 147:1.

Comment: Gambling, especially football betting, has become a popular activity among the youths and even with some older people in the society. The use of popular celebrities and soccer stars to advertise football betting under different brands has in no small measure contributed to enticing the youths to indulge in football betting and other forms of gambling. Gambling can easily become addictive and lead to dire social problems. According to the Gambling: Help and Relief website, some signs of gambling addiction are “feeling the need to hide your gambling from others, gambling to forget, stealing or committing fraud to gamble, and gambling out of necessity among others.” Consequently, a gambler is more likely to lose control of his life by becoming obsessed with gambling, run into financial difficulties, have troubled relationships, decline in appearance and/or hygiene, disinterest in previously enjoyed activities and possibly job loss, resort to lying, and deception. Lovers of righteousness as children of light are enjoined to live godly life and avoid worldliness which eventually ends in misery. Without doubt, the Bible cautions believers against indulgence in gambling, Ponzi Schemes in whatever disguise, and other similar wealth-without-labour schemes that are becoming so popular in the world, all at the instance of the Devil. King Solomon exhorts; “Wealth from get-rich quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.” – Proverbs 13:11; 28:22; Luke 12:15 (New Living Translation).

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